How Findable Are You on Local Search Engines? February 23, 2012
Posted by Joan Nowak in Marketing.Tags: get more customers, local search engines, online business directories, small business
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In an earlier post, No Cost Way to Build Web Traffic and Get New Customers, I shared with you the many benefits of business directories for local searches. So how findable are you?
Curious? Then go to GetListed.org to find out. Simply put in your company name and phone number and you will get a score from 0 to 100 reflecting how findable you are in local searches. The higher the better.
In addition, you will also receive a list of common local search engines, like Google, Bing, Yahoo and others, to help you claim your business and build or improve your company profile. The majority of these are free, although some offer upgrade options. As I mentioned in my earlier post, take the time to complete the profile beyond just name, address, phone number and website – and you’ll get more from it.
Check it out and start improving your find-ability today. For additional small business resources, visit my website
How Your Small Business Can Benefit From Google+ February 6, 2012
Posted by Joan Nowak in Promotion.Tags: build profit, get new customers, online marketing, small business ideas
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When my nephew told me to check out Google+ my reaction was ‘Oh no, not another social media platform’. But I did as he suggested and here is three reasons you should do the same:
Circles. In Google+ this is a way of segmenting or organizing people into smaller groups – so you can communicate online the way you do in life. While it has standard groups like family, friends and followers, it allows you to create unique groups such as business contacts, vendors or customers and limit sharing to specific groups. Then when you post an update, you can decide which group(s) you want to see it and which ones you don’t. No more mingling personal and business posts, video or pictures! I love this feature.
Business Page. While many don’t realize this, Google+ does allow you to create a business page. And because it too has customizable Circles, you can create unique groups such as team members, customers or business contacts. You can use your page to share stuff just with your staff or just with customers. Again, a nice feature for interactive sharing of information, videos and pictures. If you want to set up a business page on Google+, just go to https://plus.google.com/pages/create
It’s Google. Need I say more. Google has consistently put out products that are easy to use for the non-techie business owner (ME). Like Google Places, Google+ helps you get found on the web – so it’s a plus for building traffic to your website. And like other Google products, it’s free.
While Google+ was launched last June, it is growing like crazy. Some predict they will hit 400 million users by the end of 2012. So check it out today.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others. For additional resources and ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a complimentary copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
4 Pricing Mistakes That Cost You Profit January 20, 2012
Posted by Joan Nowak in Profit.Tags: build profit, gross margin, set prices
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Is improving your margins and overall profit on your list of priorities this year? Then take a look at your pricing strategies and avoid these four common pricing mistakes.
- Lack of controls on discounting. Discounts and special offers may have their place, but if used as a standard closing tool, it costs you a lot of profit. Have a strategy and purpose when it comes to offering discounts.
- Cost-plus pricing. Setting your prices based on a standard mark-up and cost ignores key elements like value and competition. Some products or services end up over-priced; but more often in small businesses, many are under-priced – leaving profit on the table. Know your costs and have a profit margin goal – but raise or lower your selling price based on competition and value.
- Poor execution on price changes or increases. Changing prices is part of doing business. But how you communicate and implement the changes can make a big difference in retention and new business.
- Sales versus profit incentives. Sales incentives or commissions based on revenue instead of profit can have a big impact on margins. It tends to encourage discounting and easy sales (lower margin products) – instead of high-margin premium products.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others. For additional resources and ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a FREE copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
Is Your Marketing Like a Roller Coaster? January 15, 2012
Posted by Joan Nowak in Marketing.Tags: consistent marketing, get more customers, small business
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For many small businesses, marketing activities and spending looks like a roller coaster, up and down based on how busy you are or how sales are doing. If your marketing is sporadic, your results will likely be the same.
The key to attracting and retaining customers is consistency. It is better to do five or six lead generation strategies consistently than do ten or more erratically. So as you plan your marketing this year…
Decide what you want to do
Commit to a frequency – daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly
Do it – no excuses!
For additional tips to improve your marketing, check out my article, How to Choose the Best Marketing Strategies.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog. Want more tips and ideas? Then visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a complimentary copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
5 Steps to Achieve Your New Year Resolutions December 27, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Planning.Tags: new year resolution, planning, set goals
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This time of year, many of us set new year resolutions or goals – to lose weight, spend more time with family, work less or make more money. We start with great intentions; but the passion and commitment soon fades away – and another year goes by!
If you really want to make a change in the coming year, here are five steps to help you turn your resolutions into results.
First, put your goals in writing! Written goals are far more effective than those we keep in our head! And remember to look at your goals daily.
Second, make your goals specific and measurable. Vague goals create vague results. If you lost one pound or made one additional dollar next year, would you be happy? Of course not but you would have accomplished your goal!
Third, identify what you must DO in order to achieve your goals. These may include actions or tasks, new skills, or simply changing some habits or behaviors. Here’s a few examples:
- If you want to lose weight, you might consider taking a 30-minute walk at lunch each weekday, eating a healthy breakfast each day, join a gym and work out at least 3 times per week, etc.
- If you want to enjoy more time with family, you may need to go in to work earlier, delegate non-essential tasks, hire a virtual assistant, improve your time management skills, plan and prioritize your work using a calendar, etc.
- If you want to earn more, you may need to learn new skills, attend networking or industry events, develop an action plan to improve your business (or a personal development plan for yourself), hire new or better people, etc.
Fourth, reward and celebrate your success or a job well done! Rewards can be small or large, depending on the goal. If you have goals that cover a longer period of time, consider establishing some milestones along the way with some small rewards to celebrate your progress.
Finally, share your goals with someone who is supportive like a spouse, friend, mentor or coach. Sharing your goals with someone else adds a level of accountability that motivates us to keep moving forward.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly. For additional resources and ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a free copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
Why Cost Cutting Isn’t Enough December 15, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Profit.Tags: build profit, efficiency, small business, systems and processes
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When sales and profit are down, most businesses, big and small, look for ways to cut costs. It’s a natural reaction. And while managing costs, in any economic climate, is important – you can only cut your payroll, marketing and operations so much – and still have a business.
But what if you took a different path? One that put more profit on the bottom line without cutting stuff that is essential to growth?
Instead, of cutting expenses, focus on improving efficiency and productivity. Get more with a lot less resources – time and money. Here’s a few examples to demonstrate this.
First, take a look at your current sales and quote process. Is it efficient and effective? Does it convert a lot of prospects into paying customers or do you waste a lot of time and money chasing opportunities that never materialize? Improvements in targeting and implementation can double (or even triple) your conversion rate – getting you more revenue while saving you a lot of time and money!
Second, take a look at your billing and collection procedures. Are they efficient and effective? Are you billing customers in a timely fashion? Are they accurate? Do you follow up quickly and efficiently when customers fail to pay – or simply wait until the cash is low to start making contact? Again, improvements here will put more cash in your pocket and ultimately save you a lot of time and money.
These are just a few of the areas where profit is potentially slipping away. Cut costs when they are out of line – that just makes good sense. But don’t overlook the profit opportunities that come from system improvements in all areas of your business. Unlike cost cutting that has limitations, improved systems offer unlimited profit potential for many small businesses.
Need systems, but not sure where to start? Then check out my Ultimate Systems Guide for Small Business Owners.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog. For additional ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a free copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
Are You Missing Out on Sales Opportunities December 8, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Sales.Tags: buy more, current customer, repeat business, small business, stay connected
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If you could generate 20% more revenue without acquiring new customers – would you do it? Of course you would. Yet many small businesses miss out on these sales opportunities because they fail to stay connected with current customers.
Studies have shown that about 25% of your customers will purchase from you again – if their first experience was good and you stay in touch. So make sure you communicate with customers on a regular basis, ask for their valuable feedback and provide them with value over the long-term.
Whether you do it by phone, mail or email, make sure your customers know you are thinking of them. The frequency may vary based on your business or industry … but quarterly contacts should be a minimum goal. Here’s a few simple, easy ways to stay in touch:
- Thank you and holiday cards are always a nice touch. Want to stand out – replace your typical Christmas or Hanukah card with a New Year card!
- Call them for feedback about your business – prepare 2-3 questions and pick up the phone!
- Drop in and say ‘hello’ when you are in the neighborhood – leave your sales stuff in the car! Or better yet, drop off some donuts or soft pretzels to the staff – they’ll remember you!
- Do a customer satisfaction survey (online or onsite) – and share findings and ideas you are implementing with your customers. It’s a great ‘excuse’ to mail or email them!
- Develop special VIP offers just for them – exclusivity is a great way to make customers feel special.
- Start up a blog or newsletter with helpful information and tips that your customers would like to receive.
- IF your ideal customers are big social media fans, add some fun and interactive applications to your social media site and/or periodically build contests into your updates or posts.
Remember, staying connected only works if that initial ‘buying experience’ is positive. Make sure it is. Then stay in touch and enjoy the extra revenue!
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog. For additional ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a FREE copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
Are You Thinking Big Enough November 23, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Planning.Tags: goal setting, how to achieve success, personal vision, planning
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According to Bob Proctor, ‘Most people are not going after what they want. They’re going after what they think they can get’.
So when it comes to setting goals do you take the safe road or reach for the stars? Goals are important because they keep you focused and on track. But a list of goals will rarely create excitement that propels us into action. They are measures that feel like a ‘to do’ list and often lack emotion. So before you start setting personal and business goals, create a vision for your life.
Your vision is a picture of the future YOU create with your imagination. It’s the WHY behind everything you do. It brings together all the elements of your life – family, relationships, financial, business, spiritual, health and community. It speaks to you. You can see it and feel it.
And, because your vision is sometime in the future, it allows you to THINK BIGGER. Your practical nature and inhibitions don’t act like a road block, the kind that produce little, safe goals.
So ask yourself this question, “What would I like my life to look like in 5 years?” Now take the time to create a visual picture of what that life looks like. Create your vision!
Need additional help? Check out my article, How to Create a Vision that Inspires and Motivates. It provides additional information and exercises that can help you create a clear internal image for your future.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog.
The Best Time Management Tool is a Simple Question November 13, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Personal Development.Tags: get more done, manage time, small business, take control
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So much to do and not enough time. It’s a common frustration for many people, but it’s one of the top issues I hear from small business owners. While you can’t add more hours to the day, you can do a better job using the time you have. In other words, do more of what’s important, and less of what is not.
Think about it. How much time do you waste each day on tasks that add no real value to your business. As a small business owner, your time needs to be invested in activities that produce sales or revenue, increase profit or help you achieve your goals. It’s that simple.
So before you start attacking the to-do list, ask yourself this question. How does this activity link to my goals? If it doesn’t, then delegate it, defer it or simply choose not to do it. By asking this question, high value tasks rise to the top so they get done.
Prioritizing your tasks and managing your time is a lot easier IF you have specific goals for your business and life. Without them, every task appears to be important. With goals and a simple action plan (what you need to do to accomplish your goals) you have a foundation to prioritize your work, manage your time and get more done. And that is a key to sustainable growth and profit in your small business.
Need help with planning and goal setting? Then check out The Ultimate Planning & Goal Setting Guide for Small Business Owners.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog. For additional ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, check out my free Business Builder Success Checklist or join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a complimentary copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
How to Build Customer Loyalty, Repeat Business & Referrals October 28, 2011
Posted by Joan Nowak in Marketing.Tags: build profit, get more customers, grow sales, small business, systems for follow up
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Creating raving fans for your small business is one of the best ways to build sustainable profit – because these customers buy again and again and tell others about you. So if you want to build loyalty, repeat business and word of mouth referrals, DO what you promise, each and every time. It’s that simple.
It starts with follow up and follow through! Your actions and communication before, during and after the sale go a long way toward building customer relationships – the kind that gets people talking and coming back.
Here’s 4 ways to set yourself apart from others:
If you promise to get back to a prospect or follow up on a decision, do it. It sets the expectation for your relationship when they buy. If you don’t follow through on commitments before the sale, why would a customer expect more after the sale is finalized?
Make sure deliverables are on-time. Whether you sell products or deliver services, customers should be able to count on you to deliver WHEN you promise. If an unexpected problem occurs, inform the customer immediately regarding delays and rescheduling. Nobody likes to deliver bad news, but most customers appreciate the honesty and will work with you.
Make sure the quality of your products or services is consistent. Customers expect this, so don’t disappoint them. If something isn’t to your standards, fix it or get another one. Communicate any issues or potential delays. Don’t cross your fingers and hope customers won’t notice. They typically do.
After the job is done or the product shipped and arrived, follow up! Are they happy with the product or work? What could you do better? This is a great way to differentiate yourself, show customers you care and build raving fans. It’s also a great time to encourage or ask for referrals.
Make follow-up and follow-through a priority and do it consistently. Build it into your systems and procedures. Your customers will notice and reward you with repeat business and referrals.
Find this helpful? Then share it with others or subscribe to my weekly blog. For additional ideas to grow your small business, visit my website. While you are there, check out my free Business Builder Checklist or join my mailing list to receive my monthly eNewsletter and a complimentary copy of my eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.
